Mites and ticks

(Acari)

Mites and ticks are a part of arachnids. They are small in size and many of them microscopic. The habits of mites and ticks vary, and they dwell on land, as well as in salt waters and fresh waters.

Red poultry mite

(Dermanyssus gallinae)

Adult: 0,6 – 1 mm

Identification marks

Dark, and red after sucking blood.

Occurrence

The red poultry mite is a common chicken parasite in henhouses, but it may also use other host animals. A red poultry mite can crawl into an apartment from birds nests on the building. It can survive for 4 to 5 months without blood.

Damage

The red poultry mites may bite people, but they cannot reproduce on human blood and they do not live on human skin.

Prevention and extermination

Prevent birds from nesting on your building. Remove all nests after the birds have left and spray the area with pesticide aerosol.

Itch mite

(Sarcoptes scabiei)

Fully grown mite: at most, 0.3 mm (not seen with a naked eye)

Occurrence

Spreads through skin contact, but can survive in bed clothes for 2 to 3 days. The male mainly lives on the skin. The female punctures the skin and digs tunnels through it, in which it lays its eggs. Most commonly found between the fingers, in bends of arms and legs, on chest and shoulders. A human itch mite can also take a dog as its host.

Damage

Strong itching of the skin. Water filled vesicles, red spots and mite tunnels, which often become infected with pus-causing bacteria.

Prevention and extermination

Clothing must be washed or heat-treated. For skin treatment, pharmacy products should be used and all the people living in the same household should be treated.